redcar A1085 cycle paths closed for 10 weeks!

[quidditys_shore]

i'm FINALLY ready to start doing my grangetown to redcar commute after a few months on a turbo trainer (just so i dont kill myself! LOL). i was going to do a test on my week off next week but theres a problem..... i've noticed from the uncomfortable bus seats that there are signs up saying that the cycle/foot path is closed from today for 10 weeks!

the redcar & cleveland website says its to put new lighting in but for only 6 weeks.

does anyone use this road? if so is it still possible to cycle? i've seen signs on both sides of the road that say its closed but it seems stupid to close both sides at the same time.

hope there is a route as i wanna RIDE! LOL

 

[Wigsie]

Don't really know the area, and don't want to state the obvious but can't you use the surrounding roads for the time being?

 

[quidditys_shore]

Don't really know the area, and don't want to state the obvious but can't you use the surrounding roads for the time being?

i'm too scared too! LOL its lovely big cycle paths where as the road has a 50 limit but its a road in the middle of nowhere with just ici & the dying corus steel works so most people to 70!

 

[Wigsie]

Oh right, I feel your pain.. My commute is along the A20 and all but the first and last 2 miles are speed limited streets, the remaining 16Miles is err not. I get passed by cars, buses/coaches and HGV's doing 60mph + and it is scary!

I investigated an alternate route but shortest was 30miles each way... not really an option. If you dont feel comfortable then I hate to say it but dont do it!

 

[quidditys_shore]

right!

i'm going for it tomorrow morning!

not sure i'll get all the way to redcar though. we went along the road today in the car and about half of 1 side of the road is blocked off whereas on the other side theres only a bit done, maybe passable especially as its saturday so doubt they'll be working!

just want to know something that makes me feel a bit thick! what gears do i use?! & what are the different sizes used for?

its flat all the way except for 1 rather gentle rise that is neither here or there. i think i've got 3 gears on the rear, 4 on the front.

apologies for thickness again! LOL

 

[palinurus]

What sort of bike do you have?

This should help

Sheldon on gears

More here,

Ken Kifer on Gears

 

[lantern rouge]

I use the trunk road cycle lane from Boro to ICI west gate mate and that's ok BUT the trunk road lanes are narrow from ICI to dormanstown and you need the off road cycle path ideally - it can be a bit hairy on the narrow bit of dual carriageway with idiots travelling fast and Steelworks truck traffic trying to get past you.... On the other hand, the cycle paths need sorting out, I hope they are gonna sweep up the broken glass and crumbling tarmac whilst they do the other work!!

be safe

 

[quidditys_shore]

I use the trunk road cycle lane from Boro to ICI west gate mate and that's ok BUT the trunk road lanes are narrow from ICI to dormanstown and you need the off road cycle path ideally - it can be a bit hairy on the narrow bit of dual carriageway with idiots travelling fast and Steelworks truck traffic trying to get past you.... On the other hand, the cycle paths need sorting out, I hope they are gonna sweep up the broken glass and crumbling tarmac whilst they do the other work!!

be safe

the only reason i want to use this route alone is that i can stay off the roads. as you say there are loads of idiots out there especially on a road with not much around so no real reason for the police to go along there.
its a good one for me to use (eventually!) as its an off road cycle path all the way to work! the only other alternative is going via lazenby but that'll mean theres about a mile of path on the road at kirkletham, which yesterday was blocked by road works (no-one working of course!) and 2 vans that were cutting the grass/trees along it.

as you may have guessed i didnt go out today! my boss texted me this morning saying that there was a big part of the road on both sides blocked off so couldnt use either
seems rather stupid to do works on both sides at the same time when either side isnt finished. i bet its alot more inconvenence to workers at corus/ici who use it daily